Singer Candi Staton says she has breast cancer

, FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2018 file photo, Candi Staton arrives at the Americana Honors and Awards in Nashville, Tenn. Staton says she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. The 78-year-old said she received the news over the summer on the first day of rehearsals for her tour. She will begin 12 weeks of chemotherapy on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)

The 78-year-old said she received the news over the summer on the first day of rehearsals for her tour. She writes in a statement, "I decided to keep it to myself and do some soul searching. I went through all of the emotions: denial, poor me and anger."

But she says that being on the road helped her.

Staton will begin 12 weeks of chemotherapy on Tuesday. She says she found a lump through self-check and she's encouraging women, "including elderly women — to get a regular mammogram."

The Grammy-nominated soul and gospel singer's Top 40 hits include "Young Hearts Run Free" and a cover of Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man." Staton released the album, "Unstoppable," earlier this year.